Officer to Be Arraigned in Alleged Mace Attack

A 24-year-old Simi Valley police officer who allegedly sprayed mace in the face of a handcuffed prisoner will be arraigned today in Ventura Municipal Court on a misdemeanor charge of assault under the color of authority, officials said.

Loyd Waters, who joined the Simi Valley Police Department in 1983, was suspended from his job Monday after the Ventura County district attorney’s office determined there was sufficient evidence to file charges against him, according to Police Chief Lindsey Miller.

The April 1 incident occurred while Christopher Durkee, who had been detained after officers observed him acting in a threatening manner and suspected he might be mentally ill, was in custody in a holding cell, Miller said. Deputy Dist. Atty. Edward Brodie said the prisoner was “handcuffed and basically hog-tied” when Waters sprayed him with mace. Durkee was later taken to Camarillo State Hospital, a mental health facility, for examination. After a departmental review of the incident, Waters was assigned to desk duty and was later suspended. Miller called the incident “isolated” and said the department would continue to provide “professional service at all times.”

If convicted, Waters could receive a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $10,000 fine, Brodie said.

Miller said that the department would conduct an internal investigation to determine whether Waters will be allowed to remain on the force.